🔧 BUILD Shawns 1971 Impala Donk

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Interior/Top
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BOOST TIME!!!!

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***Check out the tabs to save you the headache of reading this whole thread, also post 3 has a current mod list***

Well boys and girls my new project is finally home. Ive always had a hard on for the Donks (71-76 Caprice or Impala) and always told myself since 1994 that I was eventually going to build one. My buddy mike at the time had a 74 Caprice Vert with 30's and Vouges (google them if you dont know what they are) basically 30 spoke cragars and vouge tires. Its a classic old school gangster look. Over the years he built a few more and sold them and always offered them to me first and I declined because of my love of G Body's as well. When I bought the Regal a couple years ago, I really looked hard at the Donks and believe it or not they were going for half of what they are going for now. Even last summer they coulda been had for about a 1/3rd less maybe a little less for what they are going for now. I was set on a 71 or a 75 for 2 reasons. 71 is the most sought after and fetches the most money as its known as the ACE. 75 because it was the year I was born, and thought that would be pretty cool. Didnt care if it was a HT or Vert, kinda preferred that HT as I dont think Chgo weather is weather for Verts. Pay a extra $10k for a Vert, no thanks.

So when my buddy and I made a deal for the Regal months ago and I knew he was serious. I got serious in my search for a donk. As most of you know I went to Miami for 4 days last month. Had a shit load of them lined up to look at and found either garbage or guys that wouldnt move off what I thought was too high of a price. Few that I thought were too high, have actually sold since then, so I'm thinking price wasnt too high. While in Miami I met this dude Josh and him and I clicked and became friends. Super cool white boy who is in to donks as well, not generally something you see white boys building. He told me he would keep his eyes and ears open and if close enough would do the leg work for me. But told me if he found something I would have to hi-tail my ass down there asap as when they are priced right they sell in hours. Just so happened we decided to go down to Orlando this weekend because we found $61 RT airfare and the biggest donk/g body show just was going on. Figured I might be able to buy something there. Called Josh to tell him we were coming down and if he planned on taking his car to Orlando. He said he might know of a 71 going up for sale with a motivated buyer. I said well fuck let me know asap.

Touched down in Orlando Friday night and had to be up early Saturday to cruise to Ft Lauderdale to see this 71. Pull up to this gated community with $1m+ townhomes and get buzzed in by security. Pull up to the house and she was sitting in driveway and looked as clean as the pics I was sent. Took it for a ride, BSing with Josh, my buddy Ralphy and the owner of the car. Talking about everything from sports to woman to cars. Come to find out this rich fuck is a collector and has 2 other 71's besides the one I bought, and just purchased another on top of 6-7 other cars he has. I guess the Wife has a rule, every time he gets a new one something has to go lol. While BSing I kinda feel him out and get the idea he doesnt want this car going to a black guy who is going to ruin it with big wheels and a LS swap lol. So I played my white privilege card with him. He was asking $25k and very easily had him down to $20k. My final offer was $17.5k and he said he would sleep on it. Told him if he agreed in the morning then it was his job to get it to Orlando before Sunday night. He woke me up about 8am saying the car was mine and was on the way to Orlando. He showed up, we exchanged cash and paperwork, took it off the trailer and parked it at my Airbnb. We were going out for the day/night, so I pulled the coil so the fucker wouldnt start in case someone wanted to steal it lol. Also backed it in so a tow truck would have a hard time stealing it as well.

Talked to a few of the Chgo guys down there for the show and got lucky as one of the haulers had room for me to get her home. Car was dropped off in Midlothian today at $how and Go Customz and turns out Playboy a friend of mine just opened that shop up. Does nothing but suspension and motor work. Talked pricing about shortening my rear end, coilovers all the way around, new axels and adjustable control arms to squat this car. Basically a "California Lean". Front end will sit at stock height with a 26" rim and the rear end will squat 3-4" lower. I have some 26" Billets but probably going to put new barrels on the rear rims. Right now they are a 5.5" lip and I want that 7" lip on the rear, hence the reason for shortening the rear end. Most of you think of Donk and think of those 71-76 sitting on fucking 4x4 suspensions with 30" wheels. Yes those are donks as well, but not the look I'm shooting for.

Shawn1112

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Why a 9 inch over a 12 bolt? Go with a 12 bolt for the heritage !
There isn’t anything left on the car that goes with the heritage. So why start now lol
Is it leaf springs in the back or coils? I would legit 4 link it with coil overs if you are going with the 9”.
Double adjustable coils all the way around
 
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Bob Kazamakis

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I just bought Yukon 33 spline axles and a Detroit truetrac for my 12 bolt. It was nowhere near the price of a 9”. Diff was $600, axles were $300 (thanks price match). I’ve already got gears but I think those were less than $250.


Now if your intentions are narrower for more lip then a quick performance 9” is what I’d do. They can do full custom for a reasonable price.
 
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Shawn1112

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Yes to a point, but with the bigger rims/tires doesnt it effect the gear? If I had regular size rims and tires then yes the 4.10 would probably blow the tires off.
I have 3.73 now and I think that with the big rims/tires it really effects how the car leaves from a dead stop.
I by no means know as much as you or others when it comes to rear ends and gearing. I'm just going off stuff I read and input from others. So if I'm wrong, please correct me.
 
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IceCreamAssassin

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Yes to a point, but with the bigger rims/tires doesnt it effect the gear? If I had regular size rims and tires then yes the 4.10 would probably blow the tires off.
I have 3.73 now and I think that with the big rims/tires it really effects how the car leaves from a dead stop.
I by no means know as much as you or others when it comes to rear ends and gearing. I'm just going off stuff I read and input from others. So if I'm wrong, please correct me.
You are correct, but you are also adding a supercharger correct? That's gonna be instant power so depends how hard does it leave now with the 3.73, because it's gonna be a lot harder with the supercharger. Also what's your rpms at like 60 mph while cruising?
 

Shawn1112

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You are correct, but you are also adding a supercharger correct? That's gonna be instant power so depends how hard does it leave now with the 3.73, because it's gonna be a lot harder with the supercharger. Also what's your rpms at like 60 mph while cruising?
It leaves like dog shit right now lol. But once them big wheels get turning, it moves pretty well.
I'll have to check on the RPM's at 60mph, I'm usually doing at least 80mph on the expressway.
 

Bob Kazamakis

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Talking to people in the big rim scene including the guy who did all my suspension. Quick Performance is the way to go even more so if I’m shortening the rear end. 4.10 gear sounds like what I should be going with as well
Makes the most sense with that rotating weight AND wanting narrower. In reality I should of oribanly just sold my stock 12b and bought a fabbed 9”.
 
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Shawn1112

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Given the power you will make, I would calculate what MPH you expect to be at at the top of the 1:1 ratio when going through the traps in the quarter mile. You probably want to set the gear ratio to match going through the traps at or just below redline.

What torque converter are you running?
Car will probably never run down the track. It’s just for stop light to stop light fun on the street and to hurt a few peoples feelings on the street.
 

Jon01

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Talking to people in the big rim scene including the guy who did all my suspension. Quick Performance is the way to go even more so if I’m shortening the rear end. 4.10 gear sounds like what I should be going with as well
I have a Quick 9 under my C10 and am overall happy with it and their service/pricing.
 
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Shawn1112

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And I'm switching up the bass portion of my trunk. Guy that re-built my box on this car and built a couple boxes for me and other friends has a connection with Taramps and Resiliant Sounds. He is sponsored by both and is working on getting me sponsored by at least one of them. I gotta show my hand at first per say, meaning I need to buy their products. However, I'm getting them at cost thru him. If things work out which they should, then I will get some of their new shit to display in my car every year. I'm going with 2-Resiliant Sounds Platinum 15's and 1-Taramps 5k Smart Bass amp. He wanted me to go with the 8k amp, but then I need to add more batteries or go Lithium and 8k is too damn much. I'll start breaking shit. These amps hit soooooo fucking hard, its a true 5k.
My guy has 2-15's (same ones) and the 8k in his box Chevy and its ridiculous.

So my JL bass portion is up for sale for $3k, will do $2500 or so for someone on TCG. Not going to bother making a thread as I dont think it will draw much interest

 

Shawn1112

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That is going to be a rowdy ass set up.
I have another 600/4 amp to throw in for more mids/highs as well. Those red and black wires under rear deck are 2 more Hertz ST25 tweets and 2-Hertz 6.5 component set with 2-tweets. Those were put in with the new interior. The mids/highs already scream and super clear. Will have 1600 watts going to just mids/highs
 

Shawn1112

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Oil change âś…
Oil sample taken and will send to Blackstone.

Talked to Boost District, they are still waiting on heat exchanger and she thinks the snout but she has to double check. Said they will ship me everything they have and hopefully within a month I’ll get everything else.

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